Ex-policeman 'made hoax warnings'

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A former police officer has appeared in court in Londonderry accused of causing two hoax bomb alerts in Northern Ireland within the past week.

Brian Coulter, 58, is accused of making calls which led to bomb alerts at Rainey Endowed School in Magherafelt and at a store in Cookstown.

The defendant, of Leckagh Drive in Magherafelt, was described in court as an alcoholic.

He is also charged with three counts of wasting police time.

The offences are alleged to have been committed on Wednesday and Thursday.

The court was told that as a result of the alleged offences, police resources in both towns were tied up for several hours.

The defendant was released on bail to appear at Magherafelt Magistrates Court on 10 June.

He was ordered to abstain from alcohol, stay out of bars, submit himself to unannounced breathalyser tests and not to be in possession of a mobile phone.